U.S. patent number 4,050,262 [Application Number 05/708,875] was granted by the patent office on 1977-09-27 for apparatus for extracting water from the atmosphere.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Firma "Technico Development and Financing S. A.". Invention is credited to Walter Mehnert.
United States Patent |
4,050,262 |
Mehnert |
September 27, 1977 |
Apparatus for extracting water from the atmosphere
Abstract
An apparatus for extracting water from the atmosphere has a
chamber or a pair of chambers connected to a compressor by a valve
controlled in its operation in response to an operating condition
in the chamber or chambers. A suction fan is connected to the
chamber or chambers to move air through the chambers. A further
valve is arranged in the respective inlet to the chamber or
chambers to facilitate an expansion condition or effect in the
respective chamber. Where two chambers are used they operate in
alternate fashion so that heat is supplied to one chamber while
heat is being withdrawn from the other chamber and vice versa, and
both chambers are controlled in response to the respective
operating condition therein.
Inventors: |
Mehnert; Walter (Ottobrunn,
DT) |
Assignee: |
Firma "Technico Development and
Financing S. A." (Fribourg, CH)
|
Family
ID: |
5953682 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/708,875 |
Filed: |
July 26, 1976 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/160; 203/26;
62/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D
5/0039 (20130101); B01D 53/26 (20130101); Y02B
30/52 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01D
53/26 (20060101); B01D 5/00 (20060101); F25D
017/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;62/93,160,191,324,278
;203/24,26,49 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wayner; William E.
Assistant Examiner: Charvat; Robert
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fasse; W. G. Roberts; W. W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for extracting water from the atmosphere,
comprising a heat pump including a compressor, drive means
operatively connected to said compressor of the heat pump, chamber
means including inlet ports, valve means connecting said chamber
means to said heat pump at the heat withdrawing low pressure side
thereof, suction means connected to said chamber means for
transporting air therethrough, and means connected to said chamber
means for withdrawing water from said chamber means, and wherein
said chamber means comprise two separate chambers, said valve means
comprising a multi-way valve connecting both chambers alternately
to said heat pump in such a manner that heat is supplied to one
chamber when heat is withdrawn from the other chamber and vice
versa, said apparatus further comprising control means, sensing
means responsive to an operating condition in said chambers, said
sensing means being operatively connected to said control means,
said valve means being operatively connected to said control means
whereby the operation of said valve means depends on the operating
conditions in said chambers.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means
are responsive to an ice build-up in said chamber means.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said water
withdrawing means comprise a collecting trough, and means
connecting said drip trough to said chamber means.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chamber means
comprise reaction wall means, and means increasing the surface area
of said wall means.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drive means
comprise a hand operated crank member.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means
arranged for effectively improving the consumption quality of the
water by adding components such as minerals and/or vitamins to the
water.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising filter
means arranged between said chamber means and said withdrawing
means.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entire apparatus
forms an integral structure in the form of a back-pack.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising further valve
means in said inlet port means, and control means operatively
connected to said further valve means for creating an expansion
effect in said chamber means.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, comprising sensor means in
said chamber means and responsive to an operating condition in said
chamber means, means connecting said sensor means to said control
means, and wherein said first mentioned valve means are also
operatively connected to said control means whereby said first
mentioned valve means and said further valve means are operated by
said control means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for extracting water
from the atmosphere by using a heat pump.
Water extracting devices are known in many different modifications,
for example, as so called dehumidifiers. Moreover, devices are
known which are used in extracting fresh water from the ocean,
whereby the heretofore used methods employ the principle of
expansion evaporation.
German patent publications Nos. 1,717,080 and 1,717,081 describe
expansion evaporation methods for extracting fresh water from
watery solutions, whereby a so called multiple expansion
evaporation is used. Such evaporators comprise a row of expansion
stages operating with successively lower temperatures. Bridges are
arranged between the stages. The hot solution is cooled down on the
evaporator side from step-to-step and successively through
expansion evaporation, whereupon it is supplied to the condensation
side where a heat exchange will occur.
Another method is described in German patent publication No.
2,236,519. In this apparatus the raw water which has been preheated
in the condensors of the expansion evaporator is supplied to a
flow-through vaporizer where it is partly vaporized and then the
vapor or steam is brought to a higher temperature level by means of
a heat pump to serve as a heating medium for the flow-through
vaporizer, wherein the heat is given off and the distillate is
supplied to the expansion evaporator.
All of the above discussed prior art methods operate according to
the principle of expansion vaporization. Nevertheless these methods
require an aqueous solution for recovering water. As a result, it
is necessary that such prior art devices are constructed as
stationary plans and it is not possible to make them portable,
especially due to the weight of the entire plant structure, which
is relatively expensive and technically involved.
German patent publication No. 2,112,362 discloses an arrangement of
several heat pump circuits arranged in series with each other. In
this known apparatus the environmental heat is brought to a higher
temperature in stages, whereby each following heat pump stage uses
for its starting base the hot side of the next lower heat pump
stage. Although this arrangement employs air, among other media,
for the coupling of the individual heat pumps, no water is
extracted from such air when it is used.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is the aim of the invention to achieve the
following objects singly or in combination:
TO PROVIDE AN APPARATUS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF WATER FROM THE
ATMOSPHERE WHICH AVOIDS THE ABOVE DRAWBACKS, SPECIFICALLY WHICH MAY
BE PORTABLE OR AT LEAST MOBILE;
TO CONSTRUCT THE WATER EXTRACTION APPARATUS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT
IT MAY BE OPERATED BY A MINIMUM OF POWER, FOR EXAMPLE, BY A
MINIATURE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, OR EVEN BY A HAND CRANK;
TO ADD TO THE WATER RECOVERED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE COMPONENTS WHICH
MAKE THE DISTILLED WATER MORE SUITABLE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, FOR
EXAMPLE, BY THE ADDITION OF MINERALS AND/OR VITAMINS; AND
TO CONSTRUCT THE ENTIRE APPARATUS AS AN INTEGRAL BACKPACK, WHICH
MAY BE CONVENIENTLY CARRIED BY ONE PERSON ON HIS BACK.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for the
extraction of water from the atmosphere, wherein a heat pump driven
either by means of a prime mover or by hand, cooperates with one or
two chamber systems through a valve. In the instance where one
chamber is used, the chamber is connected to the heat extraction
side of the heat pump. Where two chambers are used these chambers
are alternately connected through a multi-way valve to the heat
extraction side of the heat pump. In other words, when one chamber
is connected to the heat extraction side of the heat pump, the
other chamber is connected to the heating side of the heat pump and
vice versa. The heat pump may operate by freezing, as well as by
condensation, whereby the chamber systems generally are connected
to the low pressure side of the heat pump. Each chamber system is
provided with a suction fan or with a compressor. The heat pump
operating in accordance with the freezing effect is alternately
switched at the respective chamber system from heat extraction to
heating and vice versa, by means of the above mentioned multi-way
valve or by means of an externally energized electronic control
mechanism. The just mentioned combination of features has the
advantage that in a simple manner an apparatus is provided which
sucks in the air of its environment to expand and cool the air
whereby the latter releases its humidity at the strongly cooled
surface of the vaporizer plates in said chambers, said plates being
cooled by the heat pump. The operation is such that depending on an
operating characteristic in the evaporation chamber, a switch-over
takes place from evaporation to liquification and vice versa. This
switch-over may, for example, be responsive to the thickness of a
layer of ice on the vaporizer plates or to the liquid level in the
above mentioned chambers. Where two chambers are employed an
alternating switch-over between vaporization and liquification is
performed. During the melting or rather during the extraction no
fresh air is supplied to the respective chamber until the
respective removal of condensate is completed. The structural
features for this type of operation may easily be compacted into an
integral portable structure without any technical difficulties.
Thus, the invention has the advantage that it is useful in
connection with special missions in desert or tropical regions, or
on boats to provide an adequate supply of drinking water. Of
course, the output will depend on the prevailing humidity in the
atmosphere.
According to a further embodiment of the invention sensing means,
such as a measuring device is arranged at the vaporizer plates of
the heat pump which measures the thickness of the layer of ice on
these plates or which responds to a predetermined liquid level in
these chambers in order to control the multi-way valve through an
electronic control device. In the simplest embodiment, a float
responsive to the liquid level in the chambers may activate a
switch which in turn energizes an electronic amplifer, the output
of which operates a solenoid or relay for operating the multi-way
valve between the heat pump proper and the above mentioned chamber
or chambers. Where two chambers are employed, each chamber may
perform a dual function, thus increasing the output, as well as the
efficiency of the apparatus and assuring a continuous supply of
water, because when one side or chamber is defrosting so to speak,
the other is extracting water from the atmosphere, and vice
versa.
As mentioned, the motor may be one of the well known miniature
internal combustion engines having a weight of less than 400 grams
sufficient to provide the power required for operating the
compressor. An electromotor with the respective source of power,
such as a battery or a fuel cell may also be feasible. In an
emergency a hand operable crank may even be employed. The motor
also drives the fans.
Filter means and water treatment elements may be arranged in the
connecting conduit extending between the extraction chambers proper
and a water collecting trough or the like.
BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will now
be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a somewhat simplified schematic diagram of the
present apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a wave-form diagram for describing the operation of the
present apparatus; and
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the control circuit which may be
employed in the operation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates in a schematic manner the apparatus according to
the invention. A heat pump 10 has a compact housing 10', which also
holds all other components of the compact structure. A compressor
19 is driven by a motor 20, such as a miniature internal combustion
engine. In an emergency the compressor 19 may also be driven by a
hand crank 26. Two evaporation and liquification chambers 11 and 12
are located in the housing 10'. A multi-way valve 14 is connected
between the outputs of the compressor 19 and the chambers 11 and
12. Air inlet ports 30 and 31 are connected through respective
ducts to the corresponding chambers 11 and 12. Valve means, such as
throttle flaps 17 and 18 are arranged in the respective ducts.
Each chamber 11, 12 is connected to its respective exhaust fan 13,
13'. When the respective valve flaps 17 or 18 are closed, it is
possible to establish reduced pressure in the respective chambers
11, 12, by the operation of the exhaust fans, thereby providing an
expansion effect in these chambers. This will be described in more
detail below.
Each chamber 11, 12 has at least one wall with evaporating plates
22a, 22b. These evaporation or reaction plates 22a, 22b should have
as large a surface area as technically possible. An effective
enlargement of the surface area may be accomplished by corrugations
23 to form ribs and valleys on the evaporation plates 22a, 22b.
Each chamber is also provided at the lower end thereof with a water
withdrawing means, such as a channel 20, 21'. These channels
connect the chambers proper with a collecting trough 15. At the
deepest point of the collecting point 15 there is provided, in a
preferred embodiment of the invention, a container 27 which may
hold minerals and/or vitamins 29 for improving the quality of the
water produced for human consumption. The water is withdrawn
through a tap valve 33 or the like. The container 27 may have
predetermined size to operate as a dosing means for the minerals
and/or vitamins. Thus, the quantity of additives to be combined
with the water may be determined by the size of the container 27,
which would be related to a specified quantity of water. When that
quantity of water has been produced, the container 27 would be
refilled with the additives.
Each of the evaporation and cooling plates 22a, 22b cooperates with
a sensing device 24, 24' respectively. The sensing means may
respond, for example, to the thickness of the ice build up on the
plates 22a, 22b. In another embodiment of the sensing means may
respond to the water level in the channels 21, 21'. A simple float
would be used in that instance as the sensing means. The sensors
24, 24' which respond to the thickness of the ice build up on the
plates 22a, 22b, may be simple mechanical sensors connected to
close or open a switch or the like for energizing or deenergizing
the electronic control 25. In the simplest embodiment, the
electronic control 25 may comprise amplifiers responsive to the
actuation of said switch by the respective sensor 24 or 24' to
provide output signals for operating the valves 14, 17, and 18 for
example through a solenoid wellknown in the art. Assuming that the
sensor 24 in the chamber 11 has sensed a sufficient ice build-up a
signal will be provided to the control 25 which in turn switches
the multi-way valve 14, for example, also through a solenoid, so
that the chamber 11 which was being cooled is switched over to
being heated and the chamber 12, which was being heated is switched
over to being cooled. Simultaneously, the valve 17 is being closed
to prevent further air circulation through the chamber 11, while
simultaneously the valve 18 is being opened to circulate air
through the chamber 12, which is now being cooled. As mentioned,
the electronic control 25 may also, or in the alternative be
responsive to a float in the channels 21 responding to a certain
liquid level in these channels 21, 21'.
The operation of the present apparatus will now be described in
more detail with reference to FIG. 2, which shows a plurality of
wave forms A to K. Wave form K indicates when the heat pump 19 is
started and when it is stopped again. It is assumed that at the
beginning of an operating cycle the valve 14 connects the cooling
side of the compressor 19 to the chamber 11 and the heating side of
the compressor 19 to the chamber 12. Thus, during the time period
I1 the chamber 11 is cooling, simultaneously the valve 17 is open
during the period E1 and the fan 13 transports environmental air
through the chamber 11 during the simultaneous time period G1.
During this time period and during a slight additional time, as
indicated by F1 the valve 18 is closed and the fan 13' is stopped,
as indicated by H1. Further, during the time period J1 the chamber
12 is being heated to reduce the ice build-up in this chamber.
Referring further to FIG. 2, when the sensor 24' in the chamber 12
registers a sufficient ice build-up the signal B1 will be generated
to start the heating of the chamber 12. Meanwhile, the sensor 24
produced the signal C1 in response to a reduction in the ice
build-up to chamber 11. To blow the heat produced in chamber 11
during the cooling cycle of chamber 12 away from the apparatus the
signal C1 with its trailing edge opens the valve 17 and starts the
fan 13. However, the heating of the chamber 11 still continues
after the valve 14 has been switched over by the signal B1. A
similar preparation of the chamber 12 for the next cooling cycle is
accomplished by the signal D1, which is produced when the sensor
24' registers a sufficient reduction in the ice build-up in the
chamber 12. From the foregoing the operation may be summarized that
a seesaw type function is accomplished with the two chambers,
whereby a switch-over from heating to cooling and vice versa is
preceded by a preparation residing in the opening and closing of
the valve 17, 18 and in the starting and stopping of the fans 13,
13'.
The motor 20 for the compressor 19 and the fans 13, 13' may, for
example, be a miniature internal combustion engine. A fuel tank 32
for such an engine may form an integral part of the entire
structure. Such miniature internal combustion engines are well
known in the art and normally have a weight of approximately 400
grams, thereby achieving a power output of about 1.2 to 1.8 hp.
Such engines require about 200 grams of fuel per hour. By using
such an engine the entire apparatus is substantially independent of
separate power supply devices, especially because the very small
quantities of fuel required for such engines do not cause any
problems in taking such small fuel quantities along. Instead of
using an internal combustion engine, a small electric motor
operated by a battery or by a fuel cell may be employed. Where a
battery is used a charger might be necessary, which again would
require an internal combustion engine, especially where the
apparatus is to be used over prolonged periods of time. In any
event, a hand crank 26 may be used to drive the compressor 19 in an
emergency.
The arrangement of the two chambers 11 and 12 back to back with the
compressor and drive means for the compressor between the chambers
results in an especially compact structure which may be
incorporated in a back-pack, which thus becomes suitable for use in
any type of surroundings.
FIG. 3 illustrates in block form the control means 25 and the
elements which are controlled by the control means. The control
means 25 may include a computer and a sequence control. In FIG. 3
the computer receives input signals signifying the temperature in
the chamber 11, the outside temperature, the humidity of the
atmosphere and the temperature in the chamber 12. Such temperature
and humidity sensing devices are well known in the art. The
temperature from the chambers 11 and 12 provide signals
corresponding in fact to the signals provided by the sensing means
24, 24', which, as described above, signify the ice build-up in the
chambers 11 and 12. However, the sensors 24 and 24' are also used
in the control apparatus of FIG. 3 to provide input signals to the
sequence control which forms part of the control mechanism 25. The
computer provides an output signal for the starting and stopping of
the heat pump, more specifically for the starting and stopping of
the compressor drive. Further, the computer provides timing signals
for the fan drives of the fans 13 and 13'. These fan drives also
receive signals from the sequence control, which in turn is
responsive to the ice build-up as described above. The sequence
control also provides drive signals for the valves or throttles 17,
18 and for the multi-way valve 14 alternately connecting the
compressor heating side or the compressor cooling side to one or
the other chamber 11 or 12. The computer and sequence control
cooperate with each other to establish the timing decribed above
with reference to FIG. 2. The logic circuits for the control of the
simple functions here involved are well known in the art.
The operation of the apparatus may be summarized as follows.
Outside air will be sucked into the chambers 11 and 12 through the
inlet ports 30 and 31 through ducts with throttle devices 17 and
18. The chambers 11 and 12 are under reduced pressure to provide an
expansion and cooling of one or the other chamber. In this
embodiment the low pressure in the chambers 11 or 12 is established
by exhaust fans.
In another embodiment the air is compressed by a compressor and
supplied through the throttles 17 and 18 into the respective
chamber where it is expanded and strongly cooled by utilizing the
Joule-Thompson effect. The air is then cooled in the respective
chamber which cooperates with the heat pump as a vaporizer to such
an extent that the humidity of the air is extracted either in the
form of drops or in the form of ice. The respective other chamber
meanwhile serves as a heater which is being cooled by the expanding
outside air.
Depending on the selected water level or ice deposit, as measured
by sensors 24, 24', the heat pump 10 is then switched over by the
multi-way valve 14 by means of the electronic control device 25,
whereby one chamber is separated from the outside air by closing
the respective throttle 17, or 18. If an ice build-up was present,
for example, in the chamber 11, the heat pump 10 operates now as a
liquifier for the ice to thaw the latter which may collect in the
channels 21, 21'. Vibration or suction devices 16a, 16b, as well as
filters 28 may be provided between the channels 21, 21' and the
collecting trough 15 to facilitate the transport of the liquid from
the channels 21, 21' into the trough 15. Simultaneously, further
water extraction from the air is accomplished in the respective
other chamber, for example, in chamber 12, by the ice formation on
the vaporizer wall 22b. When the thawing in the chamber 11 is
completed a switch-over signal is produced, as described above, and
the valve 17 is opened, whereupon the outer air now transported
into the chamber 11, cools the chamber 11 and new ice is formed on
the wall 22a until the selected ice build-up in the chamber 12
results in a further switch-over signal. The sequence is repeated
continuously and in the described cycles until the drive is
switched off.
Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific example embodiments, it is to be understood, that it is
intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *